Take this off the trail

I love to hike. The first time I hiked was in the Drakensburg Mountains in South Africa when I was eighteen. Not a bad place to start. I recall being awed and feeling a connection to nature that I had not previously known (thanks Geoff). But I truly didn’t hike much until my late twenties. I started to explore, and I recall that Sedona was the place that transformed my interest to a passion.

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It’s certainly a form of exercise for me. But, it’s also a state of mind, where I come into expanded thought. On a recent hike, as I navigated through some of the universal issues of our time as well as those in my own small world, I realized that there are a few important practices on the trail that are really true to life.

Hiking is grounding. Literally, it is a premise of walking on a trail. I am an Earth sign. Maybe that’s why it is so comforting to me. Having my feet on the ground seems to fuel me.  Tim enjoyed hiking. He even did a large part of the Appalachian Trail with his brothers just before starting college. But there were just as many times that he would resist it. More often, Tim enjoyed living with his feet off the ground, so to speak. Once he got out there and moving, though, he was so content. That grounding was critical for him from time to time. It was a reset. When you are grounded it is like living more in your body and less in your thoughts. It is about regaining stability.  If you ever feel like you are floating and searching for a way to come back down, get outside and walk.  

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Hiking demands reverence. When you are fully surrounded by only what is natural on the Earth, you will be reminded with urgency to worship Her. Acknowledge the humility you feel at the hands of a 2,000 feet elevation gain and respect the storm clouds that you see on the horizon. You are in Her space with very few options. This same reverence should show in our choices every single day as we limit our own carbon footprint as much as possible.

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Hiking reminds us we are not alone. Trees are easy because they’re hard to miss. On the trail there are so many opportunities to see life – the wildflowers, lichen, and do you know about the tundra? You will hike in it above the tree line in Colorado. Don’t pick, don’t step on, don’t disturb. And we all know not to feed the animals even the cutest little chipmunk. Right?  Minimize your impact on a habitat. Just as you do with your own neighbors. We are also out there with fellow hikers. Please note, if you are not familiar with hiking etiquette, the person descending should yield to the person hiking upward. Step aside. And in this current time, step 6 feet aside if you can do so safely. If not, pull your mask up. A good way to remember this rule is those that are climbing up are probably working harder. As in life, ease the way for someone who is having a tougher time than you. We must cohabitate with other living things on and off the trail. Let’s get it right.

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Hiking requires you to keep your eyes open. Literally, watch your step. While walking, look down and forward, about a foot ahead. If you are looking up, directly in front of you, or at the person you are hiking with, you are only asking for a meeting with your dentist or orthopedic surgeon.  I love navigating roots and rocks, but the second I avert my gaze from the trail, they are less friendly. This technique also helps you spot that snake a few feet before you descend upon it (right Amy?!). As with life, if you look too far ahead or even worry about what’s ahead, you are not seeing what is directly beneath you.

Hiking is about following the signs. When there are actual signs, read them. Follow them, stay on the trail, and appreciate the guidance. There are also other signs on the trail that are not specifically directional. Whose scat is that? Where is the sun? What way are the storm clouds moving? And most of all, your intuition. If something doesn’t feel right in your gut, do not ignore it. I can count on only one hand, when I turned around and headed back to my car because of a feeling. I know that isn’t many times. And I don’t know specially why I am glad I did it. But I can tell you that I am glad that I did. Not just on the trail but in our lives, there are signs placed in our path. We get to make choices about them, even though some are subconscious. Tune in. Those signs may change your life.

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Hiking is true presence. Nature is one of the easiest ways to be in the present. If you want to check out the view, and please do, then stop walking. If you want to see. Really see. Be still. Be silent. Hiking will hold you in the moment if you let it. When we remove ourselves too far from the present, we are worrying, or feeding our ego, or missing out on life all together.

Grounding. Reverence. Not alone. Eyes open. Signs. Presence. Take this off the trail. Couldn’t we use it?

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